Question

read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1, of julius caesar. octavius. so i hope. i was not born to die on brutus’ sword. brutus. o, if thou wert the noblest of thy strain, young man, thou couldst not die more honourable. cassius. a peevish schoolboy, worthless of such honour, joined with a masquer and a reveller! antony. old cassius still! how does the use of \peevish schoolboy\ help the reader understand cassius’s feeling toward octavius? it reveals a deeper level of contempt when saying octavius is but an annoying child. it emphasizes his belief that octavius is a respected politician. it suggests sympathy because he thinks that octavius has been deceived. it suggests a strong fear of octavius’ deadly skills as a warrior.

Explanation:

The phrase "peevish schoolboy" is an insult from Cassius. A peevish (irritable, childish) schoolboy implies immaturity and annoyance, paired with Cassius calling Octavius "worthless of such honour" to show contempt. The other options contradict this: he does not respect, sympathize with, or fear Octavius in this line, but instead dismisses him as an annoying, unworthy child-like figure.

Answer:

It reveals a deeper level of contempt when saying Octavius is but an annoying child.